Hot Tips and Troubleshooting
This week's article has some hot tips for you.
The Windows Key
Do you ever use the Windows key? The one with the wavy window's flag. Pressing this key brings up the start menu that can be useful if your mouse has died but there is more to it than that.
Try the following...
Windows Key (WK) + m = Minimise all windows showing the desktop
WK + f = Display the Find File screen
WK + e = Display Windows Explorer
Note that these combinations are for Windows 98. Windows 95 may respond differently but some of these combinations will work for you as well.
Other key combinations can highlight icons on your desktop which you can then launch the applications by pressing the ENTER key.
You might be wondering why any of this might be useful. It can be extremely useful if your mouse dies and you want to perform a safe shutdown. How about a blank screen? This can be caused by graphic driver problems or setting a resolution your monitor can't handle.
More shutdown problems
By far the commonest topic I receive technical support calls for and in the discussions here in Suite101.com is problems shutting down Windows properly.
Each case is likely to be different, as there are so many different makes and models of computers and hardware that can be attached to the computer. There are some things that will benefit anyone with these problems and so here is a list of things to check out for on your system if you are having this kind of problem.
Out of date drivers
Modern software makes demands on your hardware and programmers are constantly looking to squeeze the last ounce of speed out of your system. Software evolves and has to cope with a wide variety of set-ups. Consequently, you need to keep pace by keeping your system drivers up to date. Graphic and sound cards, printers, modems, monitors - even your mouse will have updated drivers to cope with more modern demands. Make sure you update your drivers regularly.
Incorrect Installations
How many of us have "not read the instructions" when we install new software or hardware. It's all too easy to "whack it in and run it" rather than spending a little time reading the instructions. This is even truer for those who are more experienced. It's so easy - I've installed lots and lots of hardware on a wide variety of machines and set-ups. It's so easy to "just go ahead". I DO force myself to read the instructions. In technical circles it's known as RTFM - Read The Flipping' Manual!
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